Swaddling Clothes

The Bible contains the word “swaddling” in its text. That word is in the Book of Luke and was a “sign” to the Jews (and us too!). “swaddling” and “manger” were THE SIGN (the two had to go together, sort of like my left side and my right side. . . one is not complete without the other).. . . .

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Luke 2: 7

The ancient Jewish prophet Micah foretold the birthplace for the coming Messiah seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Micah said that the Son of God would be born in the little insignificant village near Jerusalem called Bethlehem. History records that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was indeed born in Bethlehem, not in Nazareth where He was raised, not in Capernaum where He conducted His ministry, not even in Jerusalem where He was crucified, buried, and resurrected, but Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem.

The actual birthplace of Jesus Christ in the little town of Bethlehem has a prophetic significance both in the past and the future. The past significance of Migdal Edar: Migdal Edar, the tower of the flock mentioned in Micah 4:8, is the watchtower where the priestly shepherds would watch over their flocks in the shepherd’s fields there at Bethlehem.

It was in the lower portion of this watchtower that the birthing of the lambs would take place. The shepherds would wrap the newborn lambs in swaddling clothes to protect the body of the lambs which would be offered as sacrifice at the Temple just four miles away in Jerusalem. Wrapped in swaddling clothes to keep the new lambs without spot or blemish, they would be laid in a manger until they had calmed down.

Yes, the lamb was wrapped in swaddling clothes to protect it from any harm and they laid the lamb in a manger lined with soft hay. (Remember the lamb for sacrifice must be without blemish. A bruised or broken bone would disqualify it.) Once the lamb had settled down from the birthing process, the shepherd would remove the swathing materials and deliver the lamb to its mother. The lamb would receive special care from the shepherd/priests because this lamb would be sacrificed for the sins of the people.

The prophetic significance of Migdal Edar: the priestly shepherds in their fields near Bethlehem on that Christmas Eve knew where to go to find the newborn Messiah, Jesus Christ. He would be found where the angel had told them, wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger in the lower floor of the tower of the flock, Migdal Edar, and He would be there as the Lamb to be sacrificed to take away the sin of the world.

The shepherd/priests had trained all of their lives for this very moment. To the common passerby, seeing a baby in a manger meant very little; however, to the shepherd/priest it was a sign of the coming Messiah. They were keenly aware that the Messiah would one day free the people from their sins. A baby, announced by the heavenly choir, lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes was more than they could handle – they “came with haste.” They immediately recognized the sign – this baby was the One born to die for the sins of the world.

Micah 4:8 also speaks of the fact that this One born in the tower of the flock, Migdal Edar, Jesus Christ would setup His dominion, His Kingdom in Jerusalem, only several miles from where He had been born. The actual site, Migdal Edar, for the cradle of Jesus Christ, would also reveal the prophecy for where Jesus Christ the Messiah would wear His crown as the King of kings and the Lord of lords for a coming future kingdom right here on earth.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

3 comments to Swaddling Clothes

I’m looking for a reference to confirm that the shepherds would have wrapped the baby lambs in swaddling clothes. I LOVE the implications of it but want to be able to back it up. Any help you can give is appreciated.

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